The tradition of burning effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna on Dussehra seemed to have inspired people to burn effigies of terrorism and Pakistan as well.

Members of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) making an effigy of Pakistan on the eve of Dussehra in Patiala on Monday..(Bharat Bhushan/HT Photo)

The tradition of burning effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna on Dussehra seemed to have inspired people to burn effigies of terrorism and Pakistan as well.

The effigy market of Patiala, located at Safabadi Gate in the city, has been witnessing a demand for terror-condemning effigies as well. The sellers, who are mostly manufacturers of the effigies also, displayed their new launches inside the market on the roadsides.

Some of the right-wing organisations have also decided to burn the effigy of Ravana, covered with the flag of Pakistan, to condemn their alleged support to terrorists against India.

“We appeal to the common people to celebrate the victory of India and the Indian Army on terrorism and condemn the terror country Pakistan.”

Santosh Kumar, an effigymaker, said, “We had been witnessing a downfall in our business for the past couple of years, but this time the demand slightly increased due to the attack of our Army on terrorists in Pakistan. People are buying effigies of terrorism.”

Manav, a small buyer from the city, said, “I, along with my friends from my street, burn the effigy of Ravana every year. We buy the effigies from our pocket money. Our families give us extra money during the festive season.”

Tara Chand, another seller, said, “This year, people preferred buying low-cost effigies. Earlier, we made effigies of tenheaded Ravana, but this time, we kept the effigies single headed to cut down the cost.”

He added that the number of bookings for the giant effigies has also decreased to some extent. He added that cost is going up, but customers demand cheaper products.